So exactly what does XX% mean?

[Timberman]

Every bulletin I read people saying they are grade 4 COPD or their breathing (fev1?) has gone down from 60% to 52% or whatever. But I have had tests across the last three years that range from 45% to as low as 32%. And I know that there are days when I really do feel 30% and others when I am twice as good. I am very puzzled. Is it really possible to take these tests and get useful information from them that is accurate from person to person or are they, as I think, far too variable to really help. And if that is the case should sufferers worry so much that it affects their mood and temper?

[Hidden]

Like you I too don't have a clue,so it's a very good question.No doubt people on here will be able to put you in the picture.I don't even ask about my lung function results as I think it's all tosh.All I know is some days I'm more short of breath than others and apparently I have the lungs of an 84 year old,which is great considering I'm only 57.😀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'm like you and take no notice of their silly figures. I'm 86 and my lungs are a lot better than most, so your 84 year olds will see you OK and might even improve seeing you are still a youngster.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Youngster eh?ha ha love it,not what my missus calls me.😀

[Hidden]

I had my spirometer test Monday gone,didn't ask for figures,just how's it going.A little bit down on last time apparently,and my blood pressure a little bit up.Oh well you gotta take the ups with the downs eh?Also got a pneumonia jab,flu jab due September.😉

[mrsmummy]

The FEV1% will vary slightly depending on circumstances such as time of day, any infection present, how long after using an inhaler it is tested, etc. It will not generally vary by a great amount though and is a useful tool in identifying how advanced the disease is (classifications are based on FEV1 results). They are also useful for tracking progress over time, for example seeing a rise when you stop smoking or progress with an exercise programme can be very rewarding.

[Timberman in reply to mrsmummy]

Stopped smoking in 1993.... Diagnosed 12 years later!

[Hidden in reply to Timberman]

that is really bad luck..i was still smoking when i got diagnosed with 55% fev1.

but i stoped smoking and pryed 2 months later fev1 went up to 73% and its stayed the same for 3 years.

[Timberman]

I have not been 85 since I was 45!

[Timberman]

Can I have your lungs then? Or at least a share of one... tee hee.

[Hidden in reply to Timberman]

dont think ive ever read a response like that.

trust me bad karma for you when you have thoughts like that 😲.

[Timberman in reply to Hidden]

Hope it gave you a laugh!

[Hidden in reply to Timberman]

it has now..😏

[Delahunt]

Wow Mezie that's good FV gone up 85 dudnt know it could go up so much once diagnosed . Mine is 30 . Aww good on you good luck & all the best off Heath to you c Bernadette x

[Hidden]

When I was diagnosed with stage 3 copd my fev was 46 and I had the lungs of an 89 year old ...i asked the resp nurse did the 89 year old want them back anywhen soon ....face straight as a poker she looked at me and said that's not funny Mrs Cutler....at this point my sniggering turned into laughter and my tears from keeping my snigger in started to flow....we are registered to numbers and computers and to me if you feel good and you can do what keeps and makes ya happy then go for it in off out for a run now with my 89 year olds lol xxx Angie

[Phil40]

My understanding is this; COPD is a complicated condition and cannot be pinned down to the results of one or two set of figures. So if one's FEV1 is lower than the next persons that is just one aspect of the symptoms one has and can be of a more harmful impact depending on whether one has for instance previous heart problems or liver problems. These figures can also vary depending on how one's lung functions are that day. And of course any system wide condition will impact on mood etc. But that's just my understanding and observations

[Timberman]

Only 34. Make sure you work at it. I am 74 and given my lifestyle I had it coming. You are way too young to blame lifestyle - has to be dreadful luck or genetic. All the best.

[Hidden]

hi all sorry but i have read all 16 reply too Timberman post but i cant see where it say what does fev1 and what 3 /4 copd mean i was diagnose with copd 6 years ago i have never been give any fev1 or been told waht stage i am at all i know is that in april i was rush into hosp and was told my oxygen level was very low so was put on oxygen at 3 per hour then when down to 1 per hours send home from hosp with level at 91 which can go down to about 86 so where or who do we ask what our fev1 is or what stage we are at .btw just had a other ct scan but still waniting for rusted

[mellyme]

Pay the price? That's a bleak stigma placed on our minds producing guilt. Society is good at that, as we are.

Throw that away. We did it, that's it. Move forward, we all must.